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	Birders flock to the Big Woods in hope of catching a glimpse of the elusive bird. © TNC View more photos from the search for the ivory-billed woodpecker.

Driving Directions to Arkansas Preserves

Visit the preserves where the ivory-bill was found!

The Big Woods Conservation Partnership, which is led by The Nature Conservancy and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and includes – among others – the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, has created interpretive areas at the Cache River and White River national wildlife refuges and to post directions to these interpretive areas in a direct effort to minimize impact at the site where the ivory-billed woodpecker has been spotted.

Visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's website geared towards wildlife watchers planning visits to the Big Woods.

Maps of the Arkansas Preserves

Map of the White River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
© The Nature Conservancy
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Dagmar Wildlife Management Area

Dagmar is a bottomland hardwood overflow area with many lakes, ponds, sloughs and bayous. Bayou Deview, Robe Bayou, Hickson lake, Gator Pond, Bowfin Overflow, Straight Lake, Apple Lake Waterfowl Rest Area and numerous other small lakes and sloughs occupy approximately 800 acres. Since the ivory-bill's rediscovery, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has improved several of its trails at Dagmar, which offer bird and wildlife watchers an excellent opportunity to walk alongside the cypress-tupelo forest of Bayou DeView.

Map of Hickson Lake and Bayou DeView at
the Dagmar Wildlife Management Area
© The Nature Conservancy
View a larger version of this map

The Rex Hancock/Black Swamp Wildlife Management Area

The Rex Hancock/Black Swamp Wildlife Management Area is located in Woodruff county and is approximately 7,000 acres. Click here to download a PDF version of the Rex Hancock/Black Swamp map.

Benson Creek Natural Area

Located along the western edge of Bayou DeView and the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, Benson Creek Natural Area is a popular fishing and canoeing destination where one can float peacefully among giant, 800-year-old cypress trees. The 302-acre preserve is jointly owned by the Conservancy and the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, and a walking trail begins at the Ark. Hwy. 17 bridge and allows wildlife watchers to walk a short distance south along Bayou DeView.

View a locator map for Benson Creek.

View a map of the Benson Creek Natural Area.

Driving Directions to the Arkansas Preserves

White River National Wildlife Refuge at St. Charles

At Brinkley travel south on Hwy 70 approximately 3 miles. Turn east at Hwy 49 and travel south approximately 13 miles. At Hwy 79 intersection turn west. Travel approximately 3 miles until Hwy 17 intersection and turn south. Travel Hwy 17 south for approximately 26 miles.

Hickson Lake

At Brinkley travel south on Hwy 70 for approximately 9 miles. Turn right (north) on Dagmar Road and continue for approximately 4 miles.

Bayou DeView at Dagmar Wildlife Management Area

At Brinkley travel south on Hwy 70 for approximately 9 miles. Turn right (north) on Dagmar Road and continue for approximately 1 mile.

For More Information About the Ivory-billed Woodpecker:

The Search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker
Follow the ivory-billed woodpecker on a journey through historic America lasting one hundred and eighty-five years.
Audio Chat: Phillip Hoose Speaks About the Ivory-billed Woodpecker
Listen to Phillip Hoose, author of The Race to Save the Lord God Bird speak about the recent rediscovery of the ivory-billed woodpecker in a live online audio chat.
How You Can Help: Donate online
Support our efforts to conserve this critical habitat for the ivory-bill and other species.
Ivory-billed Woodpecker News
See ivory-billed woodpecker photos, maps of the ivory-bill's habitat, and other news and information about the rediscovery of the ivory-billed woodpecker.